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kerrythefire's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
This was a decent read. It was pretty low angst in terms of the relationship but the context it was set over was kinda intense (permanent amnesia ).
Overall the characters were sweet and I enjoyed them and their story. The plot wasn't too beefy but kept me just entertained enough to keep listening.
Nice to see a 6' tall woman as the lead. Also nice to have some dyslexia rep.
Overall the characters were sweet and I enjoyed them and their story. The plot wasn't too beefy but kept me just entertained enough to keep listening.
Nice to see a 6' tall woman as the lead. Also nice to have some dyslexia rep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Medical content
Minor: Cancer, Vomit, and Death of parent
hereforthefunofit's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
First thing about this book that left an impact on me is that it really and truly matches its title because it has a very unforced and refreshing sunny disposition. It made picking up the book each day easy, rather than daunting. Unfortunately, a book cannot good vibes itself to 5 stars for me...at least not most of the time. And, yes, this isn't one of those times even though I feel like those vibes really made me appreciate the story itself more than I would for the problems I was having.
Those problems:
The 3rd act conflict:
I saw the conflict coming from a mile away, which is unfortunatetly standard for romance at this point. I'm not a fan of that because it just left me worried about how that would be resolved and spoiled my enjoyment of what was going on in the moment. That could be purely a me-problem though. I much prefer a conflict built-up to and sensible than obvious from the first chapter, because in that situation, why am I even reading the book? They're gonna do cute shit, fall for each other, have the conflict and still be with each other in the end. I'm already tired of the formula itself so I can't be privy to the whole specific plot couple pages in, like be serious.
Leaving that, I had a problem with how the conflict itself was handled.I am very glad that Naomi did not overreact and was open to at least listening to Finn, as I felt his reasons were very valid. If she would've flipped out, I would've found it unfair to Finn and I would've deemed Naomi as someone not ready for a relationship tbh so I happy she did not. HOWEVER, it causes the same 3rd act conflict obvious from Finn says his first "I'll tell her soon" to be so ANTICLIMACTIC. There is no build-up, no burst of tension (just a slow, unsatisfying release) and immediately perfect skies in their relationship. It was...hm. This sounds completely contrary to what I was saying but it is not. I would've much preferred Finn just tell her (even though I understand why he didn't) and the conflict be something else or him not tell her, she reacts accordingly to the news and there is instead a shocking (and still sensible) 3rd act conflict. OR EVEN BETTER, it be no angst at all and instead, a completely soppy love show. That is not generally my style, but I do have my exceptions (OFFICE HOURS BY KATRINA JACKSON) and I just feel like this was the right vibes for a no angst romance.
"Grumpy"-Sunshine Troupe:
Is grumpy synonymous with asshole? I feel like there is a line and it too often slips into asshole territory in this book. The book explains it as Finn struggling with communication norms, which I can understand, but how does Naomi fall for that? Grumpy has charm and the whole mysterious thing. Finn was not that, at least for me.
Finn + relationship development:
Discussing Finn's attitudes leads me right into their relationship development...which I believe is quite unfinished, though a good foundation. I could do with Finn learning more and more how to communicate with Naomi. For example, her telling him he's behaving like an asshole and him learning and correcting his speech with her and other people instead of him behaving like an asshole again and again. I understand that sexual attraction, lust and crushes aren't really bound to time so I always excuse that but at least in a book, allow the romantic attraction to take time and action and words.I'm just baffled at how quickly they're talking about connection and like and all these things; when frankly, there was nothing in their interactions except lust, and even that wasn't convincing me sorry. Their converstations are stoic because Finn still has trouble communicating and Naomi thinks he doesn't like her, and it doesn't really develop beyond that until they all of a sudden really like each other. There is one example of an act of service but that's it for any indications of care. I can kind of understand Finn feeling a connection to Naomi because of the whole Mid thing and the old messages but Naomi just sounds like she likes men who she doesn't think like her. All these complaints make it sound like I don't like them but I actually do so I wanted moreee. More cute moments. More vulnerable moments BEFORE they realise they have romantic feelings.
Organisations of storylines:
There is a b-plot that I actually was interested in but I would've preferred it happening alongside the main romance so that it added time and substance to the story 'cause honestly it felt like only a week passed and I don't actually know how much time went by. That loss of time translation really hinders the romance for me as well.
Inconsistencies:
He remembers things about his friends sometimes and doesn't remember things other times. I assume that's how amensia sometimes works but his case is explained as if he remembers very little and won't for a long while so him remembering some things or referencing some aspects of ther personality ends up sounding like the author forgot he is amnesiac, which I doubt is the case.
I give all that criticism to end with something I absolutely LOVED. I loved their indifference and resentment for their parents. And I loved that neither parties encouraged the other to view their parents better. I feel like I see it so often in romances when even though a partner may claim "it is okay to not be on the best terms with your parents", they still encourage a better one or doing certain things to improve it and I am honestly just tired. I am thankful they could just exist with the complex relationships. And I got my representation too lmao.
ANYWAYS, I did actually like this as seen by my very close to 4 star rating. I was disappointed because I liked it so much but it was limited by itself.
Those problems:
The 3rd act conflict:
I saw the conflict coming from a mile away, which is unfortunatetly standard for romance at this point. I'm not a fan of that because it just left me worried about how that would be resolved and spoiled my enjoyment of what was going on in the moment. That could be purely a me-problem though. I much prefer a conflict built-up to and sensible than obvious from the first chapter, because in that situation, why am I even reading the book? They're gonna do cute shit, fall for each other, have the conflict and still be with each other in the end. I'm already tired of the formula itself so I can't be privy to the whole specific plot couple pages in, like be serious.
Leaving that, I had a problem with how the conflict itself was handled.
"Grumpy"-Sunshine Troupe:
Is grumpy synonymous with asshole? I feel like there is a line and it too often slips into asshole territory in this book. The book explains it as Finn struggling with communication norms, which I can understand, but how does Naomi fall for that? Grumpy has charm and the whole mysterious thing. Finn was not that, at least for me.
Finn + relationship development:
Discussing Finn's attitudes leads me right into their relationship development...which I believe is quite unfinished, though a good foundation. I could do with Finn learning more and more how to communicate with Naomi. For example, her telling him he's behaving like an asshole and him learning and correcting his speech with her and other people instead of him behaving like an asshole again and again. I understand that sexual attraction, lust and crushes aren't really bound to time so I always excuse that but at least in a book, allow the romantic attraction to take time and action and words.
Organisations of storylines:
There is a b-plot that I actually was interested in but I would've preferred it happening alongside the main romance so that it added time and substance to the story 'cause honestly it felt like only a week passed and I don't actually know how much time went by. That loss of time translation really hinders the romance for me as well.
Inconsistencies:
I give all that criticism to end with something I absolutely LOVED. I loved their indifference and resentment for their parents. And I loved that neither parties encouraged the other to view their parents better. I feel like I see it so often in romances when even though a partner may claim "it is okay to not be on the best terms with your parents", they still encourage a better one or doing certain things to improve it and I am honestly just tired. I am thankful they could just exist with the complex relationships. And I got my representation too lmao.
ANYWAYS, I did actually like this as seen by my very close to 4 star rating. I was disappointed because I liked it so much but it was limited by itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit
vj_thompson's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Blood, Vomit, Alcohol, and Classism